THE closure of another Worcester pub has caused online readers of your Worcester News to bemoan the difficult circumstances landlords face when trying to make a success of their business.

We reported that the Arboretum Inn, in Northfield Street, Worcester, has ceased trading and is in the process of being cleared out.

Former landlady Betty Mellors, who lives next door, said that it took months for rubbish to be cleared up from outside the building after it was sold to a property developer.

Following the sale, the pub was emptied and all the surplus goods and furniture were left outside within a small walled area in front of the property. It is believed the building will be converted into flats. However, no planning application has been received by Worcester City Council.

Commenting on the story at worcesternews.co.uk CJH, of Worcester, wrote: “No one in their right mind runs a business – because that’s what pubs are, not charities – when it doesn’t make money. This isn’t the 19th centur when there was a pub on every corner. Now it’s the survival of the fittest. Get used to it”

Wottaway, of Worcester, said: “Not all pubs are being lost because they don’t make money. Some are lost due to the land that they are on being more valuable for other types of business opportunities.

“I accept that there are situations where a pub is no longer viable and consequently another type of business steps in to utilise the building or the land. Several pubs are lost which are still viable and before a change of use or reuse of the land occurs the viability or not of a pub should be determined.”

MrStJohns, of Worcester, said: “A lot of pubs are very successful but they are forced into hard times because the companies that own them charge ridiculously high rents and force the landlords/ladies to have ties on every aspect of the pub. Everything from the beer through to who they buy the bar nuts from. In a lot of ways it’s the companies that own the pubs that are driving them out of business because they know the land value is so high.”

Jake_St_Johns, of Worcester, posted: “On a similar note I was saddened to see the Bush in St John’s shut down after the landlord had tried to make a real go of it. Being forced to stock certain beers at ridiculous prices (to the landlord) is what is strangling these pubs.”

BarryMacG, of Worcester, said: “Local pubs are indeed the heart of the community and maybe the councils should help out the business by reducing rates, also the prices charged to small pubs by Sky are crazy. Often the Sky subscription is higher than the rent paid to the brewery.”